Military Affairs

On a Mission to Foster Support for Our Troops

The Chamber’s Military Affairs committee is on a mission to foster a community of support for the men and women of our military and the missions they carry out on our behalf. With a total economic impact to the region of more than $100 million and the most reliable arsenal we have to fight annual floods and preserve the freedom we love, the vital role of the military in our region is undeniable.

To recognize these courageous individuals, the committee will plan activities to raise awareness in the community for the work that they do and provide opportunities for the community to thank them for their outstanding accomplishments. The committee also has a keen eye on promoting public policies that advance our region’s military units.

Chamber Military Appreciation Night is the perfect opportunity for the business community to come together to thank our local military members for everything they do for our region. From fighting our spring floods to serving abroad, our service men and women dedicate their lives to serving others. We show them our appreciation by treating their families to a patriotic themed Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks baseball game.

We also offer special event opportunities for our members. In August 2018, members of our Military Affairs committee and Honor Star program toured Camp Ripley Training Center near Little Falls, Minnesota, where we observed in maneuver training and even engaged in weapon simulation training. One attendee provided this response to the trip:

"The opportunity to visit Camp Ripley that was provided by the Chamber was one that I am very proud to have experienced. It is amazing how much the members of the National Guard and Reserves sacrifice every day being involved in both the Armed Forces and working in their civilian careers. Being a veteran myself, I’ve never taken the time to look at this from an outsider's point of view, and the time spent at Camp Ripley gave me a chance to do just that. These soldiers work alongside us every day without you and I even knowing what they do for us away from work. We are lucky to have them on our teams, both as co-workers and fighting for our freedom."
-Brett Steele, general manager-field operations, Midco